Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-02-10

Il shall call him Louis, for his moth
err" said Dennis, one night.
''Do you think you can bear it ?" l
asked.
"To hear him called Louis ? Yes
He Is Louie over again." said Dennis.
And l couldn't tell you how pleasant
life grew TO be as we watched the child
grow, unfolding like rose. There
was absolutely sort Of rivalry between
us presently as to who should discover
his first tooth. When he took his first
step, it was between Dennis arms and
miLe ,as we both sat on the floor. And
when he spoke his first word. how we
listened to learn il it were Dennis
name or mine. The day wasn't long
enough to watch his dear love.iness in.
And think Dennis was enviou5 of me
for having him nights but he could
not help that.
| never shall forget, though, the
night the baby had the Group, and we
both hung over him. fearing every
breath would be the last and, when
ease came, how we both broke down
and cried together and as we looked
out the window and saw the first flush
of dawn, and the shining moon and
the morning star glittering out of it
with inelfable brightness.
So time went on and | thought
then it would not be easy to see how we
could be happier for even the memory
of Lonie was softened into something
that was hardly grief to us in our
love of her boy, though sometimes l
used to wonder if the little fellow that
went with her was as sweet as the one
that staid with us.
But when the dear child was about 3
years old. there came snake into E.
den. A snake ? A whole nest of
them F! 1t seemed as if every girl in
the whole village had just found out
what rare and charming person I
was, and how pleasant it was late after
moons up where [ lived, and how nice
it was to run up evenings to see me.
And sometimes Dennis would have to
go home with then and sometimes he
wouldn't, but just went out the other
way, and meyer came home till they'd
annoSu Ps Grfi9leaGJatarv ...eoa~ uairlG, uoG
| couldn't say why it worried mel
only knew it did. And | used to take
the boy and go off by myself and cry.
For OF course, sooner or later, Dennis
would marry some Que of those terrible
girls he couldn't help himself it
would come about after while as nat
urally as water ruus down hill.
And then there would be stepmoth-
er for my boy and Heaven only knew
what would become of him. And what
would become of me ?
And by this l gave out completely.
should see Dennis no more. No
more of that dear voice and presence,
and CHEEKY way Of his. And all at
once it came over me, in fash of hor-
ror and shame. what was the matter
with me and then felt that happen
what would, really must go away.
But | couldn't go and leave the boy !;
and there l was. And | grew pale and
could eat nothing, and was stiller and
stilier every day. could as soon have
talked Hebrew as haYe smiled.
But one day l had the little fellow
asleep in his morning nap, which he
had not quite outgrown, although it
was getting to he short and fitful and !,
thinking that Dennis was there to see,
or knowing he was, and thinking moth
ing, l went out by myself, down the
field by the railroad cut for there was
an apple tree there where | gathered
the windfalls, and l liked, too, to sit on
the bank and see the train dash In the
cut. had my apron full of apples ,and
as came back, | stood lettering a mo-
ment or so on the steep bank, bearing
train coming, and liked all the rush
and roar and rattle that seemed to
snatch me out of myself, as if it told OF
a way to somewhere, some distant re-
gion where my trouble might be forgot
ten: and all at once another sound from
that of the approaching train caught
my ear, a glad, gay shouting and cry
ing. turned and looked to the right
and left, a little confused, for it was
the child's voice. And, tuning back
suddenly, saw him and there, at tn.
foot of the bank, in the very centre o.
the railway track stood the little fellow
who had crept from his bed and rar
after me, and been beguiled down th'
slope by some blossoms that he saw
there-there, in the centre of the tracl
he stood, waying his little hands ant
shouting to the coming train. Their
was not a half minute time, it seemed
but in less time l was down there, ant
was just graspmg the child when M
foot slipped, and fell with him In m.
arms. and the thunder was in my ear
, and the hot breath in my face, and
knew that was the end.
No: it was only the beginning of th